News

Reservists aim to be top 'dawgs'

  • Published
  • By Sandra Pishner
  • 446th Airlift Wing
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  The 86th Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord sent a team of six to Georgia Saturday for the Air Force Reserve Command Port Dawg Challenge at Dobbins Air Reserve Base.
 
Two people from the 36th APS departed for the competition to serve as umpires.

"We have been preparing for the last few months, mostly just practicing the trades of our AFSC," said Master Sgt. Greg Tanner, 86th APS team chief.

The competition is June 15-19.  The goal of the event is to identify, refine, and incorporate observed procedures and techniques that improve wartime mission readiness; demonstrate air and space expeditionary forces mission capabilities; promote professionalism among and provide recognition for, aerial port personnel; and generate esprit de corps within the Aerial Port community.

"We're unsure exactly how many teams are participating, but all Reserve aerial ports
have been invited," said Tanner.

Events the team will compete in are: Load Planning, ATOC Mission Load Report, Engine Running Onload, 25K Halverson Driving and Loading Course, Joint Inspection Cargo Load, passenger processing, Fit to Fight, Cargo Processing, Cargo Restraint, Pallet Build Up, 10K Forklift Course, and a written exam.

The two Reservists from the 36th APS serving as umpires are Senior Master Sgts. Ronald Hinkson and Paul Olson. Both will be umpires for the engine running onload event.

"Sergeant Hinkson was the 446th Aerial Port Team chief that won the AMC (Air Mobility Command) Rodeo C-17 ERO award some time ago; I believe it was 2005," said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Krinke, 36th APS transportation manager.  "Sergeant Olson was our aerial port team chief in last ORI (operational readiness inspection) we had and brought the team to stellar success."

86th APS team:
Master Sgt. Greg Tanner
Tech. Sgt. Robert Adams
Tech. Sgt. John Carmack
Tech. Sgt. Mike Mellein
Tech. Sgt. Nathanial Terrell
Staff Sgt. Kelly West